WWII mortar shells handed into Canberra police station

The mortar shells are thought to have come from Italy after World War II.

ACT Policing

A bomb squad has been called in to a Canberra police station today after a man handed in two World War II era mortar shells.

The elderly man told police at the Woden Police Station that the shells had been in his possession since 1975.

They had been part of a collection of World War II souvenirs belonging to his late father who was a serviceman.

One of the shells still had the pin attached while the other one had a missing pin and was still live.

It was taken by the Army to a secure location and detonated.

Woden Police Station Sergeant Steve Hogarth closed off the station's carpark to store the shells and contacted the ACT's Bomb Response Team.

"If you come across live ammunition, or if you are unsure of its status, we would urge you to contact ACT Policing," he said.

"Transporting of live ammunition is dangerous and fortunately in this instance no one was harmed. We will attend your location, assess the situation and call out the appropriate response, as required."

The shells are believed to be Italian mortars, many of which were brought back to Australia by The Rats of Tobruk.

Police urge anyone with old munitions to contact ACT Policing to have them safely disposed of.